India is poised at the forefront of the global roadmap for next-generation barcodes and QR codes, aligning with GS1 Vision 2030 and these barcodes would be a game-changer — by giving consumers, businesses, and regulators instant access to trusted information with a simple scan said Renaud De Barbuat, President & CEO of GS1, the global non-profit organisation which is into development and maintenance of it’s own standards for barcodes in an interview. Excerpts:
What were the key reasons for selecting India as the host country for this year’s GS1 General Assembly?
India was a natural choice to host this year’s GS1 General Assembly because of its growing influence in global trade, digital innovation, and standards adoption. It is the largest country in terms of population and soon to be ranked as third economy in the world.
GS1 India has become a key player in the GS1 global network. With over 30,000 member companies and strong partnerships across government and industry, GS1 India is advancing digitalisation and smarter supply chains in sectors like retail, food, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics.
India is also playing a leadership role in the adoption of next-generation barcodes and global standards that support transparency, traceability, and sustainability. From enabling more efficient product recalls to supporting regulatory compliance and food safety, GS1 standards are having real impact on the ground in India.
As we celebrate the approval of GS1 Vision 2030 — a major milestone for our organization — we wanted to do so in a country that represents the future of global commerce. India, with its scale, digital ambition and dynamic economy, is exactly that.
What is the current level of adoption of GS1 standards in India, and how has it evolved?
The adoption of GS1 standards in India has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, transforming various sectors by enabling efficiency, transparency, and digital integration. From fewer than 100 subscribers at its inception, GS1 India now boasts a strong network of over 34,000 and counting, demonstrating the industry’s increasing reliance on standardized product identification, traceability, and data management.
The retail, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing industries have particularly benefited from GS1 standards, ensuring seamless supply chain operations and enhanced consumer trust.
Contributing sectors include Food & Beverages, healthcare, agriculture, personal care, transport and logistics. Key initiatives that were implemented include Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) platform at earlier stage), then moved to NIFR (National Industry Forum for Retail) and NIFH (National Industry Forum for healthcare) which were designed to align industry stakeholders for standards adoption.
As India’s digital economy expands, GS1 standards continue to serve as a foundational tool, supporting e-commerce, regulatory compliance, and global trade integration. The steady adoption underscores the industry’s commitment to building a more structured and responsive marketplace, ensuring sustainable growth for the future.
What is the significance of introducing next-generation barcodes, why is there a need for them, and how will their implementation be carried out?
Next-generation barcodes are a game-changer—they give consumers, businesses, and regulators instant access to trusted information with a simple scan.
The barcodes we know today—the black-and-white stripes introduced 50 years ago—are scanned 10 billion times every day. But they can only carry a limited amount of information.
In today’s world, that’s no longer enough and the need is to reduce the gaps between physical and digital product experience. Consumers want to know where a product comes from, how it was made, and how to recycle it. Regulators require more transparency. And businesses need real-time data to improve efficiency and sustainability.
That’s where next-generation barcodes come in—like QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix. These barcodes can carry much richer information and connect to trusted digital content.
For example, Woolworths in Australia is using them to reduce food waste by tracking expiry dates more accurately. Coca-Cola Latin America uses them to track reusable bottles and support sustainability goals.
The implementation is already underway in over 45 countries, including India. GS1 is working closely with retailers, manufacturers, and solution providers to support a phased rollout. The global goal is that by the end of 2027, retail point-of-sale systems should be able to scan both traditional and next-generation barcodes. In parallel, many brand owners are already adopting the new codes for priority use cases.
This is not just a tech upgrade—it’s a transition that will make supply chains more transparent, products safer, and commerce more digital and consumer-friendly.
What is the current volume of barcode scans globally, how is it growing year over year, and what are the key challenges in implementing barcodes across industries?
We estimate that over 1 billion products carry GS1 barcodes and barcodes are scanned more than 10 billion times a day.
Barcode usage has been consistently growing since this technology was adopted in the 1970’s in the US.
How is GS1 tackling the issue of counterfeiting through its systems and standards?
GS1 standards play a pivotal role in combating counterfeiting by enabling comprehensive product traceability and verification throughout global supply chains.
Counterfeiting poses significant risks across various sectors, notably in healthcare, where the integrity of products is paramount. GS1 addresses this challenge by providing global standards that allow for the unique identification, tracking, and authentication of every product, regardless of its location in the supply chain.
Advanced barcoding systems, such as QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix, can encapsulate detailed information, including serial numbers, batch data, and expiry dates, linking to secure digital records. This level of detail facilitates the detection and removal of counterfeit products before they reach consumers.
A pertinent example is Johnson & Johnson’s initiative in Colombia, where they proactively implemented serialization based on GS1 standards to combat counterfeit medicines.
By assigning unique identifiers to individual product units, they enhanced the traceability and verification of their products, even in the absence of regulatory mandates. This approach not only safeguarded their supply chain but also reinforced their commitment to patient safety.
While GS1 does not directly police counterfeit activities, our global, open standards provide the essential tools for companies and regulators to build robust systems that detect and prevent the infiltration of counterfeit goods, thereby enhancing the safety and transparency of supply chains.
Beyond retail and pharmaceuticals, which other industries are currently adopting GS1 standards, and which sectors show strong potential for future adoption?
Beyond retail and healthcare, new industries and digital platforms are discovering the power of trusted data.
GS1 standards are expanding their reach as more sectors embrace transparency, efficiency, and global interoperability.
While retail and healthcare continue to lead adoption, marketplaces are rapidly emerging as a major force driving demand for product identification and data accuracy. Sellers on platforms like Amazon increasingly rely on GS1 barcodes to ensure product listings are trusted, compliant, and easily discoverable.
Meanwhile, agriculture is becoming a priority sector, as global food systems face pressure to improve traceability, reduce waste, and meet export requirements. GS1 standards are helping stakeholders track fresh produce, enhance food safety, and align with global trade protocols — making it easier for farmers and exporters to access new markets.
Construction and rail are also gaining momentum. With increasing regulatory and sustainability demands, companies in these industries are beginning to adopt GS1 identifiers to manage materials, improve safety, and ensure better lifecycle tracking of infrastructure assets.
These industries are now part of GS1’s global market priorities under Vision 2030 — which focuses on helping all sectors unlock the value of trusted, interoperable data to build smarter, more resilient supply chains.
What role are MSMEs playing in enabling a barcode-based, transparent, and traceable supply chain?
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are essential to building a truly inclusive, transparent, and traceable supply chain—and GS1 standards are designed to support them at every step.
MSMEs make up over 90% of businesses in many economies, including India, and play a foundational role in producing, packaging, and distributing goods. But too often, smaller businesses face barriers when trying to digitise or enter global value chains.
GS1 helps level the playing field by providing simple, globally recognised standards—like barcodes—that any company, regardless of size or sector, can use to uniquely identify and track their products. With these standards, MSMEs can list their products on e-commerce marketplaces, meet traceability and regulatory requirements, gain visibility in the supply chain, build trust with retailers and consumers alike.
By adopting GS1 barcodes, a small food manufacturer can now export products abroad or supply to major retail chains. As next-generation barcodes become the new standard, they will unlock even more value for MSMEs—giving them the ability to share product data digitally, meet sustainability requirements, and offer consumers transparency that rivals the biggest brands.
Ultimately, the more inclusive the system, the stronger and more trustworthy the supply chain becomes. That’s why empowering MSMEs is at the heart of GS1’s mission.
Which country currently leads in barcode usage, and which regions are emerging as high-growth markets?
Barcodes are universal—but today, the innovation frontier is shifting to high-growth markets like India.
For decades, mature economies like the United States and Western European countries have led the way in barcode adoption.
Retailers, healthcare systems, and logistics providers in these regions have long relied on GS1 standards to ensure efficiency, traceability, and safety.
But what’s truly exciting now is where the momentum is heading. Countries across Asia, Latin America, and Africa are emerging as innovation hotspots—not just adopting barcodes but also jumping straight into the use of next generation barcodes like QR Codes powered by GS1 and GS1 DataMatrix.
India, in particular, is a standout example. With a thriving digital economy, strong public-private collaboration, India is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most dynamic markets for barcode adoption.
The future of barcodes is global, and the most exciting developments are happening where the challenges—and opportunities—are greatest.
How does India fit into the global roadmap for the future of barcodes and QR codes?
India is poised at the forefront of the global roadmap for next-generation barcodes and QR codes, aligning its strategic initiatives with GS1 Vision 2030 — “Powering Trust in data for everyone, everywhere,” accelerating business value creation for industries through the development of registries, and working as one unified entity, “One GS1”.
There is need for variable data and GS1 is filling the requirement as per the industry ask. This forward-thinking approach underscores India’s commitment to driving digital transformation. With trusted product identification as the core strategy, India’s proactive embrace of innovative practices and collaborative industry partnerships positions the nation as a vital contributor.
How is India contributing to technology or innovation behind GS1 barcodes, especially the next-generation 2D barcodes?
GS1 India is at the forefront of driving innovation in barcode technology by spearheading the adoption of next-generation 2D barcodes. The movement, facilitated by GS1 India, has not only raised widespread awareness about the benefits of these advanced barcodes but has also played a pivotal role in educating the AIDC industry—inclusive of printing and scanning technology providers—ensuring that their systems are fully compatible with the evolving standards.
At the same time, GS1 India has been actively engaged in running proof-of-concept initiatives and pilot projects in close collaboration with leading brands, manufacturers, and retailers. These efforts are designed to facilitate a seamless transition to next-generation barcodes across the industry, reinforcing India’s contribution to technological advancement and innovation in product identification and traceability.